The Shortlist for Nov. 8

Tom Cruise says he never 'abandoned' Suri and that she needs no protection from Scientology

Tom Cruise's legal battle with InTouch over allegations he "abandoned" his daughter, Suri, wages on this week, as a deposition he filed in September was made public. Accused of not having seen Suri for 100 days following Aug. 4, 2012, Cruise explained that "unfortunately in this situation it was impossible" due to his filming schedule, and that the two spoke on the phone every day, according to People. "You have to work at [talking to a child on the phone]. I've gotten very good at it. I tell wonderful stories," said Cruise. "I also find that, you know, Suri is a very happy child, and confident, and has a good sense of herself."

Questioned as to why he did not see her on her first day of school, he pointed out that she hadn't asked that of him. "If she had asked me to be there, I would have been there. I would have worked it out in any way I could," he said. "Things change and there is different agreements, like in any divorce, where you work out schedules," he said. "It's just a different set of circumstances. It certainly does not mean that I've abandoned my daughter."

The actor was also asked if his ex-wife, Katie Holmes, filed for divorce "to protect" Suri from Cruise's involvement with Scientology. "I find that question offensive," he said. "There is no need to protect my daughter from my religion."

However, lawyers didn't drop the subject, instead asking him again if Holmes ever indicated that she left the marriage because of Scientology or because she wanted to protect their daughter from Scientology, Cruise responded, "Did she say that? That was one of the assertions, yes."

Other fascinating facts from the documents: Cruise admits that Suri is no longer involved in Scientology and that Holmes hasn't had any contact with Cruise's other children, Connor and Isabella, since their marriage ended.

Tom Cruise says he never 'abandoned' Suri and that she needs no protection from Scientology

Tom Cruise's legal battle with InTouch over allegations he "abandoned" his daughter, Suri, wages on this week, as a deposition he filed in September was made public. Accused of not having seen Suri for 100 days following Aug. 4, 2012, Cruise explained that "unfortunately in this situation it was impossible" due to his filming schedule, and that the two spoke on the phone every day, according to People. "You have to work at [talking to a child on the phone]. I've gotten very good at it. I tell wonderful stories," said Cruise. "I also find that, you know, Suri is a very happy child, and confident, and has a good sense of herself."

Questioned as to why he did not see her on her first day of school, he pointed out that she hadn't asked that of him. "If she had asked me to be there, I would have been there. I would have worked it out in any way I could," he said. "Things change and there is different agreements, like in any divorce, where you work out schedules," he said. "It's just a different set of circumstances. It certainly does not mean that I've abandoned my daughter."

The actor was also asked if his ex-wife, Katie Holmes, filed for divorce "to protect" Suri from Cruise's involvement with Scientology. "I find that question offensive," he said. "There is no need to protect my daughter from my religion."

However, lawyers didn't drop the subject, instead asking him again if Holmes ever indicated that she left the marriage because of Scientology or because she wanted to protect their daughter from Scientology, Cruise responded, "Did she say that? That was one of the assertions, yes."

Other fascinating facts from the documents: Cruise admits that Suri is no longer involved in Scientology and that Holmes hasn't had any contact with Cruise's other children, Connor and Isabella, since their marriage ended.